Village and Deerfield EMS chiefs seek study of fire/EMS facilities and a paid per‑call step to bolster volunteers

Village trustees and members of the Deerfield/Cottage Grove emergency‑services partnership discussed near‑ and mid‑term options on June 2 to address rising call volume and volunteer retention, directing staff and the Joint Fire Commission to develop study scope, funding options and budget scenarios.

Chief Nick (Deer Grove EMS) and Chief Lang (Cottage Grove Fire) told trustees call volume and staffing patterns are changing as the village grows. Deer Grove EMS reported an expected call volume of about 1,570 calls in 2025 — roughly a 10 percent increase over the prior year — and staff projected roughly similar annual growth near term. Chiefs and trustees said that could trigger need for additional resources, ranging from incremental paid‑per‑call compensation to additional ambulances or a satellite station, depending on how key performance indicators evolve.

Trustees asked staff to assemble a concise scope for a 2026 study that would update prior analyses and focus on both facilities and operational models. Village staff and the chiefs proposed a third‑party study to identify likely facility locations, timing, staffing scenarios and funding approaches; they suggested inviting the town to cost‑share scope and procurement but noted the village could fund a scope that focuses on village‑driven needs. Trustee Paula reported the Town of Cottage Grove indicated preliminary willingness to participate in cost sharing, subject to the town board’s later consideration.

On staffing compensation, chiefs and the village finance director presented an option to move from the district’s current volunteer stipend approach toward a paid‑per‑call model intended to increase response reliability and retention. Staff estimated a full‑year paid‑per‑call option could add roughly $71,000 to district personnel costs (district share), with proportional amounts borne by member municipalities under the district cost formula; a mid‑year implementation option was offered as a lower‑near‑term budget impact.

Trustees directed staff to prepare two budget scenarios for the July budget process — (1) a mid‑year paid‑per‑call implementation and (2) a full‑year model — and to present the scenarios to the Joint Fire Commission and the town so members could decide on cost sharing and implementation timing. Several trustees said they favored quick action on modest compensation because the district is already behind neighboring departments in volunteer compensation.

The board also discussed establishing a length‑of‑service award program to recognize current volunteers and past service. Villages staff reported vendors can administer a program that pays a modest benefit per year of service and noted state programs can provide matching funds; staff proposed using Pleasant Springs funds to pay historic service credits so the first year’s cost would not require a new levy increase. Trustees generally supported pursuing a length‑of‑service program and asked staff to model options (for example, $150–$300 per year of service) and to show budget impacts for the village and the town.

No final funding commitment was made at the meeting. Trustees asked staff to return with a study scope, two compensation scenarios for the 2026 budget, and cost estimates for a length‑of‑service award so both municipal boards and the Joint Fire Commission can consider formal adoption and cost allocation.